Life Focus

Reflections on the Names of God

Wednesday, July 28, 2004

El Roi, God Who Sees

From "Lord, I Want to Know You", "He is El Roi, the God who sees. The omnipresent God is there, and His eyes are not shut. He isn't asleep, unaware of all the circumstances. He sees." The first place this name of God is found is in Genesis 16:13.

The primary characters in this chapter are Sarai, Hagar, Abram and God. Sarai made an offer to her husband and he followed through. Sarai asked Abram to take Hagar so that Sarai might have a son through Hagar, as Sarai was barren. Hagar, Sarai's handmaid, did as she was told and was then mistreated by Sarai for doing as she was told. Hagar ran the situation was so unbearable, but an angel of God instructed her to return and submit to Sarai. Hagar was promised her descendants would be too numerous to count. Hagar named God El Roi because He had seen her situation.

Now for the moral of the story: Sarai wanted what she wanted when she wanted it. God had promised her she would have a son. But she got impatient and did it her way and then was not happy with the result. It is best to hold on to God's promise and let Him take care of the timing.

"Doing Good" by Pamela Morsi

Wednesday, June 09, 2004

El Elyon, God The Most High

El Elyon speaks of God as the sovereign ruler of the all the universe. El Elyon is first used in Genesis 14:18 by Melchizedek king of Salem as he blessed Abram after Abram had rescued his nephew Lot.

In Daniel 4:34-35, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon acknowledged the Most High and that He has an everlasting dominion. Nebuchadnezzar said His kingdom will last from generation to generation.

We have been given a free will to choose who and what to believe. But because God is the God Most High and Sovereign over everything, His plan will always prevail in the end, whether you choose to be a part of it or not. In knowing God is sovereign rejoicing in all circumstances is less difficult.

My favorite thing here is that Nebuchadnezzar, a king who conquered Israel, acknowledged that God was the Most High and that His kingdom would last forever.

A Note from a book, "A Dictionary of Angels including the fallen angels" by Gustav Davidson, the name Elyon the book says is Phoenician. And Elyon was "an aide to Ofaniel in the 1st Heaven".

Monday, June 07, 2004

Elohim, The Creator

One of the many names of God, the El part of the name means strong or mighty. Elohim is the God of gods. The 'him' part of Elohim indicates a plural ending. Elohim can also make reference to any group of gods. Primarily a Hebrew word, Elohim is most often translated God in the Old Testament of the Holy Bible. The first use of Elohim in the Holy Bible is Genesis 1:1, "In the beginning Gods (Elohim) created the heavens and the earth."

My favorite thing about this name of God is that it shows the Trinity from the beginning of time. Jesus the Christ and the Holy Spirit were there at the creation of the earth and mankind (or is that supposed to be humankind?!).

An extra note, from a book I picked up ("A Dictionary of Angels including the fallen angels" by Gustav Davidson), Elohim is said to refer to an angel in a passage in Deuteronomy. This reference also says the 'eloh' is singular female while 'im' is masculine plural therefore making God androgynous. Hummm...

Thursday, June 03, 2004

Grieving

In a book I'm reading, "Doing Good" by Pamela Morsi I found a direct correlation to my life in the now I wanted to share.

The main character, Jane, was talking with a stranger while eating lunch. They were helping with a Thanksgiving Day meal service for the less fortunate. The stranger was sharing with Jane about her twin daughters how proud she was of them. They were pretty, smart and had done well in life. Jane listened and appreciated hearing about the lady's daughters; it made her think of her own daughter who she loved and was proud of just because she was her daughter.

Later, at the end of the day the stranger's husband came up to Jane and thanked her for listening to his wife. He explained that their daughters had died three years before. The couple's friends had not and did not talk to them about their girls and that made dealing with it difficult...

How does this relate to my life today...some very dear friends of mine lost their little 2 year old son a little over a month ago. Yet we, they and their many friends and family, have not stopped talking about him. Sometimes we cry, sometimes we laugh but either way it is good to let it out. Both parents have express appreciation for our (family and friends) willingness to let them share about their most precious one. It is a big part of the healing process for all who loved and love little Ethan.

The moral of the story is don't be afraid to talk to someone about a lost loved one if they are willing to share.